Miraris, despite having the mortal battle done and under wraps, they cannot function without a beating heart. It is essential to each and every Miraris to keep their hearts alive and kicking – or beating, whichever works. There have been rumors circulating in their world that some were born without a heart or that they had it removed on their thousandth birthday celebration, but none from the younger generation ever tried it. They would not even deny it – they are scared. What if the older ones were just messing with them? It could be true, it could be false.

Kibum slices the red apple in his hand; he makes a small across upon it before placing it back to its original placing. The hospital has been quieter ever since Yonghwa has been removed from their headquarters. He had been meddling with things he should not have been. He runs his knife onto the board, ignoring the shrill sound of metal against metal as he stops by a portrait of a former patient under him.

“Seo Joohyun.” Her name swirls in his head, something about her is wrong. Dead wrong and he is willing to do anything to find out about her entire existence.

“Son, please open up. I know you’re in there.” His mother begs from the outside, listening to his thoughts even though she should not have had. She has no choice. He would come sooner or later for the girl. She is in trouble; she had to get rid of her. It was better for the family, for the rest of their kind.

Jonghyun enters the dark void room, lone except for a chair in the center with a dangling lightbulb right above the figure unconscious tied to the chair.

“I’m sorry.”